The Toronto Blue Jays are back in the win column.
On Tuesday, they started a three-game series against the San Diego Padres, defeating them 3-0 to move their record to 23-24. Let’s take a look at what happened in this one!
For the first time in seven games, the Blue Jays scored first, as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his sixth home run of the season in the bottom of the first. The score stood that way until the bottom of the fifth.
Starting tonight with a #PLAKATA 💥 pic.twitter.com/iU4hBk6te5
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 20, 2025
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Alejandro Kirk drew a lead-off walk, bringing up the struggling Anthony Santander. Well, he hit a hanging slider in the zone off Dylan Cease, making a 3-0 game.
THUNDER from Tony 💪😤 pic.twitter.com/MMX8XqilLr
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) May 21, 2025
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That’s all the Jays needed for their first shutout victory of the season.
Takeaways…
After a quiet series against the Detroit Tigers, the Jays hit as many home runs as they had in their previous series. With that said, it was a quiet day for the offence, registering just three hits all game, the two home runs and an Addison Barger single immediately following Anthony Santander’s long-ball.
Speaking of Santander, did he ever need that home run? Coming into this game, Santander was slashing .153/.232/.271 with three home runs in 95 plate appearances since April 18. If the Jays want any chance of making the postseason this season, he has to get going.
It was the pitching that won the Blue Jays the game. Chris Bassitt pitched six innings without giving up a run and striking out six. It’s the second consecutive game a Blue Jays’ starter has pitched a quality start, as Jose Berrios went six innings with two earned runs on Sunday. His season ERA now sits at 2.83.
Relievers also had a good game, as Brendan Little gave up a lead-off single, he got a double play and retired his final out with a strikeout. Yariel Rodriguez pitched a clean inning, as did Jeff Hoffman, who picked up his 10th save of the season. Good to see the Jays’ closer get back on track.
The Jays have a chance to win the series on Wednesday, with that game starting at 7:07 PM ET with Kevin Gausman on the mound.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. They can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.